Embracing Money Freedom: A Journey Towards Financial Independence
May 19
5 min read
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If you’ve ever said (or thought), “I don’t want anyone telling me what to do with my money. I want to be able to spend on what I want,” you’re not alone.
In fact, I hear this often from people who’ve worked hard to build their businesses or careers. They value their sense of independence and autonomy. But here’s what I want to explore today: What if this feeling isn’t really about money at all? What if it’s about something deeper that’s worth listening to?
Let’s dive into why that feeling is valid and what it might be trying to tell you.
That Feeling of Not Wanting to Be Controlled
Money is personal.
Deeply personal.
It is not just about dollars and cents. It’s tied to:
How you grew up
Your experiences
What you were taught (or not taught)
Your beliefs about success, self-worth, security, and freedom
When someone talks about “not wanting to be told what to do” with their money, it’s rarely just about budgets or bank accounts. It’s about autonomy. It’s about not wanting to feel:
Judged for your choices
Restricted from enjoying life
Controlled by someone else’s rules
If money has ever been scarce for you, or if you’ve felt your spending was micromanaged by a partner, a parent, or a financial expert, it makes sense that you’d be hesitant. You want to claim your power back.
But Here’s the Twist:
You are being told what to do with your money.
Just maybe not by me or anyone else.
Instead, it might be:
Your habits
Stress
Your calendar
The next client payment you’re waiting on
The mental math you do at the gas pump
The filled Amazon cart after a long day
The “figure it out later” cycle you’ve unintentionally fallen into
I’m not saying these things are bad. They’re just running the show in the background, making decisions for you without you even realizing it. The freedom you think you have? It might actually be stress in disguise.
Where You Might Be Right Now
Maybe your income has started to grow, whether in your business or career, but you still feel:
Like you’re not getting ahead
Like you’re winging it month to month
Unsure about how much is okay to spend
Afraid to look too closely at your bank account
You might have a “system,” but that system might sound like: “As long as there’s money in the account, we’re good.”
Or perhaps you’re the type who pays bills the second money comes in—not because it’s due, but because it feels safer to get it out of the way. It’s not that you’re reckless. It is that no one ever showed you another way.
Where You Want to Be
Let’s flip the script.
What would it feel like if:
You knew you were spending in a way that supported both your goals and lifestyle?
You planned ahead instead of reacting every time something came up?
You had a money system that included your fun spending, not cut it out?
You could enjoy spending on what you want without guilt or stress?
Imagine saying:
“Yep, I’ve already set aside money for that.”
“We’re covered for the slower months. I planned for it.”
“I know exactly what I can spend this weekend while staying on track.”
That’s not restriction. That’s freedom with intention.
Coaching Doesn't Tell You What to Do. It Helps You Decide.
One of the biggest misconceptions about financial coaching is that I’m going to hand you a strict budget and start circling your coffee habits with a red pen. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Financial coaching with me isn’t about rules or me telling you what to do. It’s about reflection, awareness, and creating a system that actually works for you. It's about making progress towards financial freedom with intention.
Together, we will:
Evaluate your current money habits without judgment
Spot patterns that keep you stuck
Identify what truly matters to you
Build a plan that supports both your lifestyle and long-term goals
Make space for what you care about, not just bills and obligations
The plan we devise will include your values, wants, and needs. It’s not about cutting everything out. It’s about ensuring you’re spending with intention, not impulse.
Takeaway 1: Start by Noticing What’s Driving Your Decisions
If you’re not using a plan now, ask yourself: What’s actually driving my day-to-day money decisions?
Is it:
The balance in your checking account?
The timing of your next payment or paycheck?
The stress you feel when you receive a bill notification?
The belief that you’ll handle it “next month”?
A fear of missing out or being behind?
None of these are wrong. But they may not be reliable guides. By noticing what influences your money choices, you’re starting to regain control.
Takeaway 2: Write Down What YouWant to Be True*
This might sound simple, but it’s powerful.
Grab a pen and finish this sentence: “I want to feel _______ about my money.”
Then add: “I want to be able to _______ without stress or guilt.”
Examples could be:
I want to feel secure about my money.
I want to be able to buy what I need without second-guessing it.
I want to feel in control, even when income fluctuates.
I want to be able to go on a vacation and know it's paid for.
This gives you a vision, something to work toward that helps you move from reactive to intentional. Because the goal isn’t to never spend. It's to spend on purpose.
You Can Want Freedom and Have a Plan*
These two things are not opposites. Wanting to enjoy your money isn’t bad. In fact, it’s essential that your financial system reflects your values and goals.
What doesn’t work is living in constant reaction mode, letting stress and urgency call the shots. If you’ve felt resistant to working with someone because you’re afraid of giving up control, I want you to know this: Coaching doesn’t take away your control. It helps you regain it.
Financial Freedom with Intention
When I hear someone say they don’t want anyone telling them what to do with their money, I know that feeling comes from a genuine place. And I respect that.
However, I also know that many of those same people feel stuck, tired, and unsure of their next steps. That’s where coaching comes in.
It’s not about being told what to do. It’s about building something that works for you, with your real life in mind.
Ready to Take the First Step?
If this resonates with you and you're realizing you want a better relationship with your money, but you’re unsure of what that looks like, let's talk.
I offer free Q&A calls to explore your options, no pressure.
